Continental shelf off northern Chilean Patagonia: A potential risk zone for the onset of Alexandrium catenella toxic bloom?

Harmful Algal Blooms (HAB) pose a severe socio-economic problem worldwide. The dinoflagellate species Alexandrium catenella produces potent neurotoxins called saxitoxins (STXs) and its blooms are associated with the human intoxication named Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning (PSP). Knowing where and how these blooms originate is crucial to predict blooms. Most studies in the Chilean Patagonia, were focused on coastal areas, considering that blooms from the adjacent oceanic region are almost non-existent. Using a combination of field studies and modelling approaches, we first evaluated the role of the continental shelf off northern Chilean Patagonia as a source of A. catenella resting cysts, which may act as inoculum for their toxic coastal blooms. This area is characterized by a seasonal upwelling system with positive Ekman pumping during spring-summer, and by the presence of six major submarine canyons. We found out that these submarine canyons increase the vertical advection of bottom waters, and thus, significantly enhance the process of coastal upwelling. This is a previously unreported factor, among those involved in bloom initiation. This finding put this offshore area at high risk of resuspension of resting cysts of A. catenella. Here, we discuss in detail the physical processes promoting this resuspension.

Automated summary

Harmful Algal Blooms (HAB) are a significant global issue, with the dinoflagellate species Alexandrium catenella being responsible for the toxin named Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning (PSP). Understanding the origins and formation of these blooms is essential for prediction. Previous research in Chilean Patagonia has focused on coastal areas, neglecting the adjacent oceanic regions. Through a combination of field studies and modeling approaches, it was found that the submarine canyons in the continental shelf off northern Chilean Patagonia enhance coastal upwelling, increasing the risk of resuspension of A. catenella resting cysts.